Uncover the canyon

Inspired by stories from Helen Buchanan, Mary Anna Roosa, Susan Buchanan Stone, and Gayle Korbel, this piece honors the Neal family’s 100-year history in Concan and the generations of Texans whose memories of the Frio are connected to their legacy.

Inspired by conversations with local birder Lauren Cummings, Andrea’s piece features the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler, a bird that nests nowhere in the world outside of Central Texas. Its dependence on the mature juniper and oak woodlands found throughout this region makes it a symbol of the unique landscape and ecology of the Frio Canyon.

Carmen’s sculpture draws inspiration from Gregg’s mistflower, butterflies, the Frio River, limestone, and the aquifer beneath our feet. Together, these elements tell the story of an interconnected landscape, from the water moving underground and through the river to the native plants and wildlife it sustains above.

Emerging was not originally created specifically for the Frio Canyon, but its themes of healing, hope, joy, and transformation have found a fitting permanent home here. Its colorful mosaic forms and mirrored centers invite viewers to see themselves within the artwork, reflecting the idea that healing and transformation begin within ourselves and are strengthened through connection with others.

Britt met with the current president of the Frio Canyon Garden Club to learn about the native plants that grow throughout the canyon. Her mural celebrates the plants, wildflowers, and pollinators that define this landscape and the local knowledge that helps preserve an understanding of the natural world around us.

FeeBee’s mural brings to life The White Lady of Rio Frio, the local legend of Maria Juarez, a young woman murdered in the Frio Canyon in the early 1900s whose spirit is said to still wander the banks of the river. Local historian and storyteller Linda Kirkpatrick published the story in 2007, helping preserve a piece of Frio Canyon folklore that had long been passed down through the community. The piece explores how folklore carries real people and events forward, blending history, memory, and storytelling into the identity of a place.

J met with Real County Judge Bella Rubio to hear stories of growing up in the Frio Canyon. She shared memories of Plez Jones playing his harmonica when she was a little girl and how much she enjoyed listening to him. Those personal memories helped inspire a piece celebrating the music, people, and everyday moments that become part of a community’s shared history.

Inspired by the native wildlife of the Frio Canyon, this piece celebrates the animals that have been part of this landscape for generations and remain an important part of what makes the canyon wild.